Racist thugs targeted Mario Balotelli as the former Manchester City striker made his first return to Inter Milan with city rivals AC Milan on Sunday evening.

Ezequiel Schelotto's second-half equaliser salvaged a point for Inter Milan in the derby as AC Milan had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

The Serie A stalemate will be seen as little help to either club's hopes of gaining a Champions League place for next season, and gives Lazio the chance to take third place when they face second-bottom Pescara tomorrow.

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Missed opportunities: Balotelli squandered chances to score for Milan

AC Milan, for whom Mario Balotelli was a threat in attack, stand third for now, a point ahead of Lazio and Inter but six points adrift of second-placed Napoli.

Stephan El Shaarawy scored the opener for Milan with a dipping left-footed drive in the 21st minute.But substitute Schelotto made an impact off the bench, heading in after 72 minutes to ensure Inter would not finish empty-handed.

Earlier this month Balotelli was the
target of racist chanting from a section of Inter fans during the
Nerazzurri's game with Chievo, for which Inter Milan president Massimo
Moratti apologised afterwards while expressing his hope there would be
no repeat in the derby.

Heated: Balotelli was allegedly targeted by racists in the crowd

That was the second time Balotelli has been the victim of racism on his return to Italy.

The first saw AC Milan vice-president Paolo Berlusconi - the younger brother of club owner Silvio - filmed at a political meeting in Monza near Milan describing Balotelli as 'negretto della famiglia' - translated as 'the family's little n****'.

That led to accusations of hypocrisy at the Rossoneri just four weeks after Silvio Berlusconi praised midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng for walking off the pitch after he was racially abused during a friendly against Pro Patria.

Level terms: Schelotto scored the equaliser for Inter in the second half